1846.J Indian Corn. 125 



and not excessive cultivation, previous to that important state of 

 its being. 



For the first years of my farming the manure was spread in the 

 spring, upon a sod, for corn, finishing in time to plow for plant- 

 ing. This plan was changed, hauling out and spreading it the 

 preceding autumn, plowing as before. This latter method ap- 

 peared to be preferable, giving not only a quicker growth to the 

 young plants, but evidently a better stand. I also noticed that 

 the effect of the manure from remaining upon the surface for so 

 long a period comparatively, was to make the soil loose or mel- 

 low, and to render the wire-worm and grub no longer causes of 

 uneasiness. 



The good effects of covering the ground in the autumn for the 

 corn crop, were fully confirmed on an adjoining farm, and the 

 knowledge thus obtained, led to the plan which at present I pur- 

 sue. My neighbor commenced by hauling out the manure which 

 was left after preparing his wheat ground, which sufficed for only 

 about one third of it. He then proceeded to cover the remainder 

 with straw, but did not finish more than one-half of the part 

 which was left, leaving, therefore, a third part uncovered. The 

 Avhole was plowed in the spring in time for planting. It may be 

 satisfactory to state that the field was perfectly level, and the soil 

 of uniform quality throughout its extent, but thin. 



From the time the corn appeared above the surface to its per- 

 fecting, a marked difference was manifest between the two parts 

 which had been covered and the part left uncovered, having ex- 

 amined the corn at the beginning of the growth of the corn, and 

 at its completion. The parts which had been covered with ma- 

 nure and straw, stood well, being unaffected by worms. The 

 color was very good, and produced a fair crop; nor could any 

 difference be perceived between them, as the owner informed me, 

 in the quantity or quality of the grain when husked, so far as the 

 eye could determine. 



On the part Avhich had been left without manure or straw, the 

 wire-worm was so destructive, as to require more than once re- 

 planting. The color indicated less vigor, and the yield in grain 

 inferior in every respect. 



No experiment could be more decisive or important as regards 

 the corn-plant, than the one related. It established two important 

 facts. The great advantage of covering the ground in the fall of 

 the year for corn; the other, that no difference could be perceived 

 in the crop between the part covered with straw, and the part 

 with manure; consequently that straw could be substituted for 

 manure in its culture. 



It has been an object of no small importance with me in farm- 

 ing, to attain to certainty, quantity with goodness of crops, with 



